Our second day in Ottawa was packed with iconic landmarks https://www.byward-market.com/ottawa-sign-illumination , cultural discoveries, and delightful culinary experiences. Welcome to “From Lookouts to Parliament : Ottawa Day To Remember”.

From breathtaking lookouts to the heart of Canadian democracy, every moment was memorable and filled with excitement. In this blog post, we’ll explore the details about what we did on our day 2 at Ottawa.

To know the deets of memorial day memories with reflecting and remembering, click on Memorial Day Memories: Reflect & Remember – Wander, Feast & Thrive.

An Ottawa Day To Remember : From Lookouts To Parliament

Starting The Day with Public Transport Exploration :

“Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit” – Frank Borman.

We kicked off the day by navigating Ottawa’s efficient public transport system. After getting ready, we took a ride from our hotel bus stop to South Keys and took a ride with route number 98 while waiting for route number 97 to Hurdman and took the great Oc Transpo line 1 train to Rideau. The journey was smooth and gave us a great start to the day.

Lunch At Rideau Centre :

“I believe in a tongue-first exploration of the world. Food is our most immediate daily relationship to our ecosystem, and there is something delectable and intriguing about it” – Natalie Jeremijenko.

Upon arriving at Rideau, we headed to Rideau Centre mall for lunch just like the previous day. We dined a fine simple lunch from Jimmy The Greek https://jimmythegreek.com/ and enjoyed a delicious meal, setting a perfect tone for our morning / afternoon adventures.

Ottawa Sign at Byward Market :

“So, you know, I think the age of exploration is just beginning, not ending, on our planet” – Robert Ballard.

On our way to the lookout, we stopped at the Ottawa sign at Byward Market, an iconic landmark at Ottawa. The spot is very much popular, with people waiting in queues to take photos. It was a fun stop and we made some great memories there.

Iconic Landmarks : Ottawa Day to Remember

Alexandra Bridge Lookout :

“Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty” – Brian Greene.

With our bellies full and some fun photos at the Ottawa sign, we headed over to the Alexandra Bridge Lookout. Even though part of the bridge was closed for construction, we could still walk on the pedestrian side. Fighting the chill, we crossed over, though the awesome view connecting Quebec and Ontario was a bit blocked. Still, walking on the bridge was a pretty cool experience!

Few Fantastic Explorations : From Lookouts To Parliament

National Gallery Of Canada :

“I won’t call my work entertainment. It’s exploring. It’s asking questions of people, constantly. ‘How much do you feel? How much do you know? Are you aware of this? Can you cope with this?’ A good movie will ask you questions you don’t already know the answers to. Why would I want to make a film about something I already understand?” – John Cassavetes.

Originally planning to visit the War Museum, we ended up exploring the National Art Gallery Of Canada instead. The gallery showcased a diverse range of art , from textiles, and contemporary works to abstract art works to English and American art to Indigenous and Canadian art paintings. It was a memorable visit. Outside, before we went to the lookout bridge, we stopped and created a memory at the giant spider structure, “Maman” which stands impressively in front of the gallery.

Parliament Hill And The House Of Commons Tour :

“Exploration is the engine that drives innovation. Innovation drives economic growth. So let’s all go exploring” – Edith Widder.

Finally, we strolled to Parliament Hill and glimpsed the lit Confederation Fire. Hearing about the guided tours of the House of Commons on weekends, we quickly booked our spots. With an hour to spare, we relaxed at Tim Hortons https://www.timhortons.ca/?lang=en, enjoying hot coffee and a strawberry watermelon quencher before attending the fascinating tour, which offered insights into the House of Commons’ workings and operations.

Ending The Day :

After the fantastic guided tour, we headed out of the building, we were mesmerized lighting they put up for the winter evening and it felt magical. It’s all these little moments we all are waiting for. From there, we headed up back to Rideau Centre mall to grab our dinner. We took out our dinner from A&W and headed back to our hotel room and ended the day and our visit to Ottawa.

Conclusion

Our second day at Ottawa was truly one to remember. “From Lookouts To Parliament – Ottawa Day To Remember” captures the essence of explorations and the joy we found in every experience. As we look back, these memories will always hold a special place in our hearts.